The microscopic animals Dr. Francesca Leasi studies can’t be seen with the naked eye. Yet for all their size, they may hold vital clues to how life adapts to environmental change and what traits allow organisms to survive it.
UTC receives $2.4 million HRSA award to address behavioral health workforce needs in Southeast Tennessee
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the recipient of a $2.4 million federal grant to bolster the pipeline of highly trained behavioral health professionals serving children, adolescents and young adults in underserved areas of Southeast Tennessee.
Rocket Mocs help elementary school campers soar
Elementary school summer campers recently had the opportunity to experience science firsthand thanks to the Rocket Mocs. The young campers participated in every step of the process, creating, designing, decorating and finally retrieving their rockets after they were launched.
UTC and City of Chattanooga formalize strategic research partnership to accelerate innovation and federal grant collaboration
UTC and the City of Chattanooga have entered into a new strategic research partnership formalized through an interlocal agreement approved by the Chattanooga City Council. The agreement creates a streamlined framework for UTC and the city to pursue and manage collaborative federal research grants more efficiently, supporting a shared vision for innovation, economic growth and public impact.
Interim dean, lasting impact
Dr. Ahad Nasab has never needed a title to make a difference, just meaningful work. From improving industrial systems to building academic programs and elevating students, faculty and staff, Nasab finds purpose in leaving things better than he found them.
UTC’s Rick Dierenfeldt and Erica Holmes Trujillo honored with 2025 UT System President’s Awards
Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standouts, UC Foundation Associate Professor Rick Dierenfeldt and College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Director Erica Holmes Trujillo, have been named recipients of the 2025 UT System President’s Awards—the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive from the UT System.
Opportunity in every challenge: Chancellor Lori Bruce brings vision and voice to UTC
As Dr. Lori Bruce takes the reins as chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, she won’t need a map to find her way across the region. After all, she grew up just 90 minutes west of Chattanooga on a working farm in Lincoln County—an upbringing she credits with shaping her resourcefulness and lifelong passion for education.
Richard Winham, signing off: Chattanooga’s music story ‘teller’ takes a final bow
Richard Winham wants the world to know two things: Radio is not dead. Neither is Richard Winham. “People keep saying radio is dead… but it doesn’t make any sense, because it’s not,” Winham said. “It’s as ubiquitous as it’s ever been.”
Rolling relief: A day on the road with UTC’s MobileMOC health team
MobileMOC—an outreach health clinic on wheels—is designed to provide health care access for older adults in local rural communities, offering services such as preventive care, screenings, chronic disease management and social services.
Headstrong: One stubborn puppy, one determined student
For UTC mechanical engineering grad student Connor Mackey, what started as an engineering experiment quickly turned into a year-long test of creativity, grit and compassion. With no blueprint to follow, Mackey leaned into his problem-solving instincts—producing more than a dozen helmet prototypes for a tiny puppy.









